the definitive archive of Colorado's 41st Governor

Monthly Archives: March 2010

8:30 a.m.Gov. Ritter and a group of bipartisan lawmakers will announce the introduction of the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act at a news conference. Gov. Ritter, lawmakers and experts will also testify about the bill before the House Transportation and Energy Committee later in the morning. The lead sponsors of the act are Reps. Ellen Roberts (R-Durango) and Judy Solano (D-Brighton) and Sens. Bruce Whitehead (D-Hesperus) andJosh Penry (R-Grand Junction).

The legislation will make Colorado a national leader in cutting air pollution, creating jobs and increasing the use of cleaner energy sources. It would require Xcel Energy to sharply reduce pollutants by retiring, retrofitting or repowering Front Range coal-fired power plants by the end of 2017 and replacing them with facilities fueled by natural gas and other lower- or non-emitting energy sources, including greater energy efficiency measures.

News Conference Location: West Foyer, State Capitol.

House Transportation and Energy Committee Hearing: Old Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol.

Gov. Bill Ritter, Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight D. Jones announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has named Colorado as one of 16 finalists for the first round of Race to the Top education reform grants. Colorado and the other finalists were selected from 40 states and the District of Columbia.

“Colorado is committed to providing a 21st century education that fully prepares our students to compete and succeed in a global economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “I am pleased we have been named a finalist, but this is a competitive grant process and we still need to make our case. Regardless of the outcome, we now have a roadmap that leads directly to stronger and more effective student-centered education reforms.”

The state’s Race to the Top proposal was developed with input from more than 600 people. The proposal is being supported by 134 local school districts serving 94 percent of Colorado‘s K-12 public school students.

“It’s gratifying to be in the finalist list, but we know this is just the beginning of our work. The end goal is reducing the achievement gap, turning around struggling schools and improving our skills, data and tools for students,” said Lt. Gov. O’Brien, who spearheaded the proposal process.

“We are thrilled to be included in the group invited to make presentations,” said Commissioner Jones. “We are confident that Colorado will continue to move forward in this process. One key to Colorado‘s application is the strong alliance among the state’s education community, and we believe that strength will carry us on this final lap.”

All 16 finalists will present their proposals to a panel of reviewers in Washington, D.C., the week of March 15. Lt. Gov. O’Brien and Commissioner Jones will lead the Colorado team of presenters. Colorado‘s Race to the top proposal asks for $377 million over four years. Successful first round Race to the Top applicants will be announced in April.

Work will continue on education reform at the local level, as Gov. Ritter today also announced the appointees to the Colorado Council for Educator Effectiveness. The council was created by executive order to work on defining educator effectiveness and new educator evaluations tied to student growth. The council will meet at 3 p.m. March 11 at the Colorado Community College System office, 9101 E. Lowry Blvd.

Shortly after 6 a.m. this morning, Gov. Ritter was involved in a bicycle accident at 23rd Ave.

and High St.

in Denver. He is being treated at DenverHealthMedicalCenter for several injuries. It appears he has multiple rib fractures on his right side.

The Governor rides with a group of friends two to three times a week, and this morning was with a group of four other riders when he and another rider collided. The Governor is in good spirits, laughing and joking with hospital staff and his wife Jeannie.